Anchor and method for securement into a bore

ABSTRACT

An anchor and method for securement into a bore in a medium. The anchor has a first generally hollow cylindrical section having a first plurality of spaced longitudinally directed fingers and a second generally hollow cylindrical section having a second plurality of spaced longitudinally directed fingers. The first and second sections are arranged opposed to each other with the fingers of each section being interdigitated with the fingers of the other section. The first and second sections are adapted to receive a compression force moving the two sections relatively toward each other, whereby at least some of the fingers move outwardly so as to secure the two sections in the bore in the medium.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to anchoring devices and methods and, inparticular, to anchors for securement in bores in first members andwhich allow attachment of second members to the first members. Theinvention accordingly relates to devices for coupling a second member,i.e., a cylindrical or tubular member, into a bore in a first member.The present invention is particularly applicable in the medical field,but also has application in other fields, for example, the general fieldof fasteners and in the construction industry.

There is a need for a simple acting and quickly installable device forcoupling a second member into a bore in a first member. There isparticularly a need for such a device in the medical and surgicalfields. In particular, there is a need for such a device which can beused to connect tissues or bones to other tissues or bones. Furthermore,there is a need for a device which will allow manmade materials to beconnected to tissue or bones, in particular, to allow cylindrical or rodshaped objects, e.g., prostheses, to be fastened to a bore in a bone orother tissue. There is furthermore a need for an easily installabledevice for anchoring or fastening sutures to tissue, which sutures canthen be connected to another object, for example, other tissue.

In the medical and surgical fields, there is a particular need for adevice which can be coupled to a first object which is then insertedinto a bore in the second object, thereby to quickly lock the first andsecond objects together. For example, there is a need for such a devicewhich can connect prostheses to bone or bone to bone. There isfurthermore a need for such a connection device which is essentiallyhollow in the interior thereby to allow placement of parts of tissue,bone or manmade materials inside the device, such as rods, pins, valves,sutures, etc.

There is also a need for a device which can lock two objects together ina quick and simple manner, for example, by compression, thereby to locka component inside the device and simultaneously to a medium, forexample, bone. There is a need for such a device for locking twocomponents together, for example, bone and bone or tissue and bone ortissue and tissue, and which device can be left hollow to allow fluid topass through the inserted device. There is furthermore a need for such adevice which can direct or inhibit the flow of fluid passing through thedevice. Such a device could be used in the medical field to connect boneto bone, for example, to repair fractures or in spinal surgery. Such adevice could also be used to connect other materials to bone, forexample, prostheses to bone. These could be used in hip prostheses, kneeprostheses or as bone plugs and dental implants.

There is furthermore a need for such a connection device which allowsconnection of tissue to bone. This could be used for ligament repair,meniscus repair and soft tissue repair. There is also a need for such adevice which can provide tissue to tissue connections, for example,liver, lung and spleen resections.

There is also a need for such a device which allows materials to beconnected to tissue. Such a device could be used in applicationsinvolving stenoses to provide clear passageways in esophageal, prostateand coronary tracts through the hollow center of the device, as filtersand valves to block and emboli and as dams, for example, pancreaticblockers.

There is furthermore a need for a quick connection device which can beused in the fastener and construction industry and which allowsconnection of first objects into bores located in second objects.

Various anchoring, quick connection devices and devices for securementin blind holes are known. For example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,143,086,2,100,570, and 5,161,916, a screw is fastened in a bore by the action ofan expandable member, for example, a tubular element enlarged by aconical member. In U.S. Pat. No. 1,247,621, a screw is fastened in abore by the action of an expandable member comprising expandable wings.In U.S. Pat. No. 4,293,259, expandable locking elements which fit intoan undercut provide anchoring.

In each of the above patents, a screw element causes the expandablemembers, generally through the intermediary of a conical element, whichmay be a part of the screw or separate from the screw, to expand to grabthe inner surface of the bore to provide the attachment.

In another patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,563, two interdigitated spacersare provided which allow the securement of an element to a wall having ahollow construction. In this patent, the interdigitated fingers are usedto provide support between the skins of the hollow wall to preventcollapse of the wall.

Re. U.S. Pat. No. 34,293 shows a ligament attachment method which workson a similar principle to the construction fasteners described above,i.e., employing an expandable element which is expanded by a conicalelement operated by a screw. U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,422 discloses a boneanchoring device for securing sutures to bone. The device is conicallyshaped with serrations on the external surface. The device is forcedinto a recess in the bone and the conical shape and serrations keep itsecured in the bone.

None of the prior art devices, however, provides a simple, quick andsecure fastening device, which is especially adaptable in the medicalfield, for securing two objects, such as bone, tissue or foreignobjects, together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an anchoring devicefor securement in a bore in a medium.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a connectiondevice for connecting a first object to a bore in a second object and,particularly such a connection device which is simple to use and quickacting.

It is yet still a further object of the present invention to providesuch a connection device which is suitable for the medical and surgicalfields.

It is yet still a further object of the present invention to providesuch a device which is suitable for use with bone, tissue or foreignobjects, for example, prosthetic materials or any combinations thereof.

It is yet still a further object of the present invention to provide aquick connect fastener for the construction industry and the fastenerindustry in general.

It is yet still a further object of the present invention to providesuch a quick connection device which also allows the implantation ofsutures in tissue or bone or other biological matter where suturescannot be applied directly to the matter.

The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved by ananchor for securement into a bore in a medium comprising a firstgenerally hollow cylindrical section having a first plurality of spacedlongitudinally directed fingers; a second generally hollow cylindricalsection having a second plurality of spaced longitudinally directedfingers; the first and second sections being arranged opposed to eachother with the fingers of each section being interdigitated with thefingers of the other section; the first and second sections beingadapted to receive a compression force moving the two sectionsrelatively toward each other, whereby at least some of the fingers moveoutwardly so as to secure the two sections in the bore in the medium.

The objects of the invention are also achieved by a method for securingan anchor in a bore in a medium comprising providing a first generallyhollow cylindrical section having a first plurality of spacedlongitudinally directed fingers; providing a second generally hollowcylindrical section having a second plurality of spaced longitudinallydirected fingers; arranging the first and second sections opposed toeach other with the fingers of each section interdigitated with thefingers of the other section; and applying a compression force to thefirst and second sections to move the two sections relatively towardeach other, whereby at least some of the fingers move outwardly so as tosecure the two sections in the bore in the medium.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description of the invention which refers tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in greater detail in the followingdetailed description with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of a quickconnection device of the present invention before the device isactivated to allow its securement in a bore;

FIG. 2 shows the invention of FIG. 1, but showing how the device appearsafter activation to allow its securement in a bore in a medium, notshown;

FIG. 3 is a cross-section along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1 and also adding asleeve member;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section along lines 4--4 of FIG. 2 also adding asleeve member;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of one portion of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is a top view of the device shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the device according tothe present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section along the lines VII--VII of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the device of FIG. 6 showing how itwould appear after activation in a bore (not shown);

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of yet still another embodiment accordingto the present invention which comprises a device for anchoring suturesin biological matter;

FIG. 12 shows the device of FIG. 11 prior to insertion into biologicalmatter not shown;

FIG. 13 shows the device of FIGS. 11 and 12 after it has been insertedinto a bore in biological matter not shown; and

FIG. 14 shows the device of FIG. 1 actually in place in a bore inmatter, showing how it has been used to secure a cylindrical object inthe bore.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment ofthe fixation device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows thedevice prior to use. The device includes two sections 10 and 20. In thedevice shown in FIG. 1, the two sections 10 and 20 are identical, butthey need not be identical. In other embodiments shown in the drawings,the two sections are not necessarily identical.

The two sections 10 and 20 each have a group of fingers 15 whichinterdigitate with the fingers of the other section. The sections 10 and20 can be made of any suitable material, hard or soft, depending on theapplication. The material must have a requisite degree of flexibility ordeformability, since the fingers 15 must be allowed to bend toaccomplish the fixation function, as will be described in more detailbelow. Suitable materials might be biocompatible metals if used in themedical field, plastics or any metal or plastic having the requisiteflexibility or deformability if used as a general construction fastener.

In order to use the device, a first object, for example, a cylinder orrod 30, as shown in FIG. 14, is placed inside the opening 22 of thesection 10 and fixed to the opening 22 of the second section 20. Theobject 30 can be fixed to the section 20 by any suitable means,depending on the application and the composition of the elements 20 and30. For example, suitable affixation techniques might comprise, e.g.,gluing, or welding. Preferably, the section 10 is sized such that theobject 30 to be secured is a close fit within the opening 22. Theinterdigitated sections 10 and 20 surrounding the object 30 are thenplaced into the bore 40 in the object 50 into which the object 30 is tobe secured. Preferably, the outer diameter of the sections 10 and 20 issized such that it is a close fit within the bore 40. A device not shownin detail, but shown schematically, for example, at 60 in FIG. 14, andwhich may surround the object 30 secured in the interior of the sections10 and 20, is then used to compress the two sections 10 and 20 together.For example, section 10 can be forced into section 20. This can beperformed without any rotational movement. If the object 50 into whichthe anchor of the invention is to be secured is not of sufficientstrength so as to take up an axial force, it is desirable at the sametime that device 60 presses section 10 into section 20, simultaneouslyto support object 30 against movement. This prevents section 20, whichhas been secured to object 30 (e.g. by welding or gluing) from movingand thereby exerting an axial force on object 50. FIG. 2 shows thedevice after the two sections 10 and 20 have been moved relativelytoward each other.

The compression force has the effect of forcing outwardly theinterdigitated fingers 15 on each of the sections 10 and 20. The effectof forcing the fingers 15 outwardly is to lock the two sections 10 and20 into the bore 40. The tips of the fingers extending in oppositedirections frictionally secure the device in the bore againstlongitudinal movement outwardly and inwardly. At the same time that thesections 10 and 20 are locked into the bore 40, the compression effectforces the opening 22 to a decreased diameter, causing the object 30also to be fastened securely to the section 10, and therefore inside thebore 40 in the object 50.

In order to facilitate the outward movement of the fingers 15, they arepreferably made such that they have tapered portions 17 as shown mostclearly in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. Additionally, between the fingers, thesections 19 are also tapered, as shown in FIG. 5, to facilitate outwardmovement of the fingers 15 when the sections 10 and 20 are forcedtogether.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In thisembodiment, the two sections 10' and 20' are different. Section 10' issimilar to section 10 of FIG. 1 with the exception that the tapers 19'are reversed, i.e., they taper inwardly, not outwardly. Section 20', isfurther different, having fingers 15' which have ends 17' taperingopposite those shown, for example, in FIG. 5. In addition, section 10'is also different than section 10 of FIG. 1 in that the sections 19'taper opposite to those shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 or 5. The reasonfor this is to allow the fingers 15' which interdigitate between thefingers 15 of section 10' to flex inwardly, instead of outwardly. Thisallows even greater securement of the object, for example, object 30, inthe opening 22 through the center of the sections 10' and 20'.

Although the embodiment of FIG. 1 and the embodiment of FIG. 6 aredifferent in several respects, they accomplish essentially the samepurpose of securing or anchoring an object 30 into a bore 40 in anotherobject 50. The device 1 provides a lesser degree of frictionalengagement with the object 30 because the fingers 15 all flex outwardly,but it provides a greater degree of torsional rigidity because thefingers are arranged such that their sides are adjacent. In the deviceshown in FIG. 6, although the fingers are interdigitated, the sides ofthe fingers do not abut for as great a length once the two sections 10'and 20' have been forced together. This is shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 shows the second embodiment according to FIG. 6 after the twosections 10' and 20' have been moved toward each other to force thefingers 15 outwardly and the fingers 15' inwardly.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a sleeve 70 can also be provided in theinterior 22 between the sections 10 and 20 and the object 30 located inthe opening 22. The sleeve 70 may have a tang 72 provided thereon whichcan be used to achieve the relative movement of the two sections 10 and20 towards each other and therefore the fixation of the device.

FIG. 9 shows an additional embodiment of the invention having a greaternumber of interdigitated fingers 15 on each section 10" and 20". In allother respects, this device is similar to that shown in FIG. 1, butprovides a greater degree of frictional securement and resistance totorsional movement.

FIG. 10 shows yet another embodiment according to the present inventionwhich comprises three sections 100, 110 and 120. When the three sections100, 110 and 120 are collectively compressed together, the fingers 102,112, 114 and 122 all move outwardly or inwardly, or in any combination,to achieve any desired degree of fasting. For example, fingers 122 and102 can move outwardly while fingers 112 and 114 can move inwardly. Theparticular movement of the fingers is effected by the way the ends ofthe fingers and the areas between the fingers are tapered, as discussedwith respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 11-13 show a further embodiment according to the present inventionwhich allows sutures to be anchored to an object, for example,biological tissue, to which they could not otherwise be ordinarilyeasily fastened. The device according to FIGS. 11-13 comprises a section150 and a section 160. Sections 150 and 160 each have interdigitatedfingers 155 and 165, respectively. Sutures 170 are fastened to a lowerend of the section 160, as shown at 172. The sutures are fed through thecenter of the section 160, and through the center of the section 150. Aninsertion tube 180 may be provided which is disposed through the centerof section 150. The sutures are fed through the hollow center of thetube 180. Prior to use, the two sections 150 and 160 are arranged asshown in FIG. 12, with their fingers 155 and 165 closely abutting, butwithout any of the fingers being flexed out of the volumes defined bythe cylindrical sections 150 and 160. The tube 180 forms a snug fit inat least the interior of the section 150 although it may also be a snugfit in the interior of the section 160. However, this is not necessarybecause the interdigitated fingers 155 will keep the section 160 securedto the section 150, at least for the purpose of insertion of thesections 150 and 160 into an opening.

The sections 150 and 160 are thereafter inserted into the opening in themember to which sutures are to be attached in the condition in whichthey are shown in FIG. 12. After insertion into the opening, a suitablepulling force can be exerted on the sutures by drawing up on themagainst a handle 190. This will cause the section 160 to move toward thesection 150, causing the fingers 155 and 165 to move outwardly, as shownin FIG. 13, thereby securing the sections 10 and 20 in the opening inthe biological matter. Alternatively, another device 200 which fitsaround the outer diameter of the tube 180 can be forced against thesection 150, pushing it downwardly while pulling up on the sutures 170,thereby causing the two sections 150 and 160 to move relatively towardeach other. As is evident, the pushing and pulling forces can be appliedwithout rotational movement.

After the two sections 150 and 160 are moved relatively towards eachother, the tube 180 is removed from the section 150, for example, bymaintaining pressure on the device 200 so that the section 150 ismaintained in position. The sutures 170 have now been anchored orsecured in the opening in the biological matter by the action of thefingers 155 and 165 of the sections 150 and 160 securing themselves intothe opening. The sutures 170 can now be used to secure another object,for example, other tissue, to the biological matter.

Similarly to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11-13, the other embodimentsdescribed may also be employed to fasten sutures in tissue. Thesesutures can be connected to either of the two sections 10 or 20, asshown by the dashed lines 11 in FIG. 1 which show the sutures connectedto section 10.

Although the present invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art.Therefore, the present invention should be limited not by the specificdisclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical anchor for securement into a boreformed in a living body and defined by a bore side wall and an openinginto the bore, comprising:a first generally hollow biocompatible sectionhaving a first plurality of spaced longitudinally directed fingerspointed toward the opening; a second generally hollow biocompatiblesection having a second plurality of spaced longitudinally directedfingers; the first and second sections being arranged opposed to eachother with the fingers of each section being interdigitated with thefingers of the other section; an elongated body mechanically engagedwith the first section; the first and second sections being adapted toreceive a compression force moving the two sections relatively towardeach other, the first and second hollow sections having a combinedlongitudinal size such that they are entirely received within the boreafter the compression force is applied, said two sections being bothlongitudinally movable in respective opposed directions of movement withthe fingers of each section moving radially outwardly while moving inthe respective direction of movement, the fingers of each section beingadapted to penetrate into the bore side wall in the respective directionof movement to secure the two sections in the bore without anchoring theelongated body at the opening into the bore; at least one of the firstand second sections being slidable along the elongated body withoutrelative rotational movement of the elongated body and the at least onesection.
 2. The anchor recited in claim 1, wherein both pluralities offingers move outwardly in response to the compression force.
 3. Theanchor recited in claim 1, wherein the fingers of each plurality offingers have tips, the tips being tapered to facilitate movement of thefingers outwardly or inwardly.
 4. The anchor recited in claim 3, whereineach section has a rim portion between fingers, the rim portion beingtapered to facilitate movement of the fingers outwardly.
 5. The anchorrecited in claim 4, wherein the tips of the fingers are tapered towardthe hollow center of a respective section.
 6. The anchor recited inclaim 1, further comprising means for causing the compression force. 7.The anchor recited in claim 6 wherein the means for causing thecompression force comprises a sleeve fitting inside the two sectionshaving an outwardly directed abutment for engaging one of the twosections whereby when a force is applied to the sleeve in the directionof the sections, the abutment forces the two sections relatively towardeach other.
 8. The anchor recited in claim 1, further comprising amember inserted into the center of said two sections for securement intothe bore in the medium.
 9. The anchor recited in claim 8, furthercomprising means for securing the member inserted into the center of thetwo sections to the distal most one of the two sections.
 10. The anchorrecited in claim 9, wherein the means for securing comprises welding oradhesive.
 11. The anchor recited in claim 9, further comprising meansfor causing the compression force comprising a device forcing a proximalmost one of the two sections toward a distal most one of the twosections.
 12. The anchor recited in claim 11, further comprising meansfor securing the distal most one of the two sections against axialmovement when the compression force is being applied.
 13. The anchorrecited in claim 1, wherein the two sections comprise a metal.
 14. Theanchor recited in claim 13, wherein the metal comprises a biocompatiblemetal.
 15. The anchor recited in claim 1, wherein the sections comprisesplastic.
 16. The anchor recited in claim 15, wherein the plastic is abiocompatible plastic.
 17. The anchor recited in claim 1, furthercomprising sutures connected to at least one of the two sections. 18.The anchor recited in claim 17, further comprising a hollow tuberemovably connected to at least one of the sections, the sutures beingthreaded through the centers of both sections and further comprisingmeans cooperating with the tube and at least one of the sections formoving the sections relatively toward each other to cause thecompression force.
 19. The anchor recited in claim 17, furthercomprising a hollow tube inserted into the center of at least one of thesections, the sutures being threaded through the centers of bothsections and through the hollow interior of the tube, and furthercomprising means cooperating with the tube and at least one of thesections for moving the sections relatively toward each other to causethe compression force.
 20. The anchor recited in claim 19, furthercomprising a handle on said tube for grasping by a user whereby thesutures may be pulled thereby causing the compression force.
 21. Theanchor recited in claim 19, wherein the means for causing thecompression force comprises an object disposed about the tube forengagement with at least one of the sections and to which thecompression force can be applied.
 22. The anchor recited in claim 19,wherein the tube is removable from said at least one section after saidcompression force is applied.
 23. The anchor recited in claim 1, furthercomprising at least one intermediate section between the first andsecond sections, the intermediate section having first and secondpluralities of longitudinally extending fingers for engagement withrespective pluralities of the fingers in the first and second sections.24. A method for securing a medical anchor in a bore formed in a livingbody and defined by a bore side wall and an opening into the bore,comprising:providing a first generally hollow biocompatible sectionhaving a first plurality of spaced longitudinally directed fingerspointed toward the opening; providing a second generally hollowbiocompatible section having a second plurality of spaced longitudinallydirected fingers; arranging the first and second sections opposed toeach other with the fingers of each section interdigitated with thefingers of the other section; providing an elongated body mechanicallyengaged with the first section; applying a compression force to thefirst and second sections to move the two sections relatively towardeach other, the first and second sections having a combined longitudinalsize such that they are entirely received within the bore after thecompression force is applied, said two sections being bothlongitudinally movable in respective opposed directions of movement withthe fingers of each section moving radially outwardly while, moving inthe respective direction of movement, the fingers of each section beingadapted to penetrate into the bore side wall in the respective directionof movement to secure the two sections in the bore without anchoring theelongated body at the opening into the bore; the step of applying acompression force causing at least one of the first and second sectionsto slide along the elongated body without relative rotational movementof the elongated body and the at least one section.
 25. The method forsecuring an anchor recited in claim 24, wherein both pluralities offingers move outwardly in response to the compression force.
 26. Themethod for securing an anchor recited in claim 24, wherein the fingersof each plurality of fingers have tips, and further comprising taperingthe tips to facilitate movement of the fingers outwardly or inwardly.27. The method for securing an anchor recited in claim 26, wherein eachsection has a rim portion between fingers, and further comprisingtapering the rim portion to facilitate movement of the fingersoutwardly.
 28. The method for securing an anchor recited in claim 27,further comprising tapering the tips of the fingers toward the hollowcenter of a respective section.
 29. The method for securing an anchorrecited in claim 24, wherein the step of applying the compression forcecomprises providing a sleeve fitting inside the two sections having anoutwardly directed abutment for engaging one of the two sections andapplying a force to the sleeve in the direction of the sections, wherebythe abutment forces the two sections relatively toward each other. 30.The method for securing an anchor recited in claim 24, furthercomprising inserting a member into the center of said two sections forsecurement into the bore in the medium.
 31. The method for securing ananchor recited in claim 30, further comprising securing the memberinserted into the center of the two sections to the distal most ones ofthe two sections.
 32. The method for securing an anchor recited in claim31, wherein the step of securing the member to the distal most ones ofthe two sections comprises using welding or an adhesive.
 33. The methodfor securing an anchor recited in claim 31, further comprising causingthe compression force by forcing a proximal one of the two sectionstoward a distal most one of the two sections.
 34. The method forsecuring an anchor recited in claim 33, further comprising securing thedistal most one of the two sections against axial movement when thecompression force is being applied.
 35. The method for securing ananchor recited in claim 24, wherein the steps of providing the twosections comprise providing sections made of a metal.
 36. The method forsecuring an anchor recited in claim 35, wherein steps of providingsections made of metal comprises providing sections made of abiocompatible metal.
 37. The method for securing an anchor recited inclaim 24, wherein the steps of providing the sections comprisesproviding sections made of plastic.
 38. The method for securing ananchor recited in claim 37, wherein the steps of providing sections madeof plastic comprises providing sections made of a biocompatible plastic.39. The method for securing an anchor recited in claim 24, furthercomprising connecting sutures to at least one of the two sections. 40.The method for securing an anchor recited in claim 39, furthercomprising removably connecting a tube to at least one of the sections,threading the sutures through the centers of both sections and furthercomprising moving the sections relatively toward each other to cause thecompression force.
 41. The method for securing an anchor recited inclaim 39, further comprising inserting a tube into the center of atleast one of the sections, threading the sutures through the centers ofboth sections and through the hollow interior of the tube, and furthercomprising moving the sections relatively toward each other to cause thecompression force.
 42. The method for securing an anchor recited inclaim 41, wherein the step of moving the sections relatively toward eachother comprises pulling the sutures thereby causing the compressionforce.
 43. The method for securing an anchor recited in claim 41,wherein the steps of causing the compression force comprises providingan object disposed about the tube for engagement with at least one ofthe sections and to which the compression force can be applied.
 44. Themethod for securing an anchor recited in claim 41, further comprisingremoving the tube from said at least one section after said compressionforce is applied.
 45. The method for securing an anchor recited in claim24, further comprising providing at least one intermediate sectionbetween the first and second sections, the intermediate section havingfirst and second pluralities of longitudinally extending fingers forengagement with respective pluralities of the fingers in the first andsecond sections.
 46. A medical anchor for securement into a bore formedin bio-organic tissue and defined by a bore side wall and an openinginto the bore, comprising:a first generally hollow section made of abiocompatible material having a first plurality of spaced longitudinallydirected fingers pointed toward the opening; a second generally hollowsection made of a biocompatible material having a second plurality ofspaced longitudinally directed fingers; the first and second sectionsbeing arranged opposed to each other with the fingers of each sectionbeing interdigitated with the fingers of the other section; an elongatedbody mechanically engaged with the first section, the first and secondsections being adapted to receive a compression force applied by amember which moves substantially longitudinally without rotationalmovement to move the two sections relatively toward each other, thefirst and second hollow sections having a combined longitudinal sizesuch that they are entirely received within the bore after thecompression force is applied, the two sections being both longitudinallymovable in respective opposed directions of movement with the fingers ofeach section moving radially outwardly while moving in the respectivedirection of movement, the fingers of each section being adapted topenetrate into the bore side wall in the respective direction ofmovement to secure the two sections in the bore without anchoring theelongated body at the opening into the bore; at least one of the firstand second sections being slidable along the elongated body withoutrelative rotational movement of the elongated body and the at least onesection.
 47. A medical anchor for securement into a bore formed in abio-organic medium and defined by a bore side wall and an opening intothe bore, comprising:a first biocompatible member having a firstplurality of spaced longitudinally directed fingers pointed toward theopening; a second biocompatible member having a second plurality ofspaced longitudinally directed fingers; the first and second membersbeing arranged opposed to each other with the fingers of each memberbeing interdigitated with the fingers of the other member; an elongatedbody mechanically engaged with the first section; and the first andsecond members being adapted to receive a compression force moving thetwo members relatively toward each other, the first and second membershaving a combined longitudinal size such that they are entirely receivedwithin the bore after the compression force is applied, said two membersbeing both longitudinally movable in respective opposed directions ofmovement with the fingers of each section moving radially outwardlywhile moving in the respective direction of movement, the fingers ofeach member being adapted to penetrate into the bore side wall in therespective direction of movement to secure the two members withoutanchoring the elongated body at the opening into the bore; at least oneof the first and second members being slidable along the elongated bodywithout relative rotational movement of the elongated body and the atleast one member.
 48. A medical anchor for securement into a bore formedin a bio-organic medium and defined by a bore side wall and an openinginto the bore comprising:a first biocompatible section having a firstplurality of spaced longitudinally directed fingers pointed toward theopening; a second biocompatible section have a second plurality ofspaced longitudinally directed fingers; the first and second sectionsbeing arranged opposed to each other with the fingers of each sectionbeing interdigitated with the fingers of the other section; an elongatedbody mechanically engaged with the first section; the first and secondsections being adapted to receive a compression force moving the twosections relatively toward each other, the first and second sectionshaving a combined longitudinal size such that they are entirely receivedwithin the bore after the compression force is applied, said twosections being both longitudinally movable in respective opposeddirections of movement with the fingers of each section moving radiallyoutwardly while moving in the respective direction of movement, thefingers of each section being adapted to penetrate into the bore sidewall in the respective direction of movement to secure the two sectionsin the bore without anchoring the elongated body at the opening into thebore; a suture connected to at least one of the two sections; andatleast one of the first and second sections being slidable along theelongated body without relative rotational movement of the elongatedbody and the at least one section.
 49. A medical anchor for securementinto a bore formed in a bio-organic medium and defined by a bore sidewall and an opening into the bore, comprising:a first biocompatiblesection having a first plurality of spaced longitudinally directedfingers pointed forward the opening; a second biocompatible section havea second plurality of spaced longitudinally directed fingers; the firstand second sections being arranged opposed to each other with thefingers of each section being interdigitated with the fingers of theother section; an elongated body mechanically engaged with the firstsection; the first and second sections being adapted to receive acompression force moving the two sections relatively toward each other,the first and second sections having a combined longitudinal size suchthat they are entirely received within the bore after the compressionforce is applied, said two sections being both longitudinally movable inrespective opposed directions of movement with the fingers of eachsection being adapted to move outwardly to penetrate into the bore sidewall in the respective direction of movement to secure the two sectionsin the bore without anchoring the elongated body at the opening into thebore; a suture connected to at least one of the two sections; andatleast one of the first and second sections being slidable along theelongated body without relative rotational movement of the elongatedbody and the at least one section.
 50. A medical anchor adapted tosecure an elongated body in a bore formed in a living medium and definedby a bore side wall and an opening into the bore, the bore extendingdistally into the medium from a surface of the medium, comprising:afirst generally hollow biocompatible section receiving at least aportion of the elongated body within it, engaged with the elongated bodyagainst axial displacement of the first section distally relative to thebody, being adapted to be received in the bore, and having a pluralityof circumferentially spaced-apart fingers adapted to extend proximallyrelative to the bore toward the opening; a second generally hollowbiocompatible section adapted to be received in the bore proximally ofthe first section, receiving a portion of the elongated body through it,and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart fingers adaptedto extend distally relative to the bore; the first and second sectionsbeing arranged opposite each other with the fingers of each sectionbeing interdigitated with the fingers of the other section and thefingers of each section being engageable with rim portions of the othersection so as to be displaced outwardly upon movement of the sectionstoward each other; a hollow pusher member separate from the sectionsreceivable in sliding clearance around the elongated body and engageablewith a proximal end of the second section to apply a force distally onthe second section; and a portion of the elongated body being adapted tobe held to apply a force proximally to the first section so as to enablethe distally acting force applied to the second section to move thefirst and second sections relatively toward each other and move thefingers outwardly into engagement with the side wall of the mediumsurrounding the bore without having to hold either of the sectionsagainst rotation relative to the bore and without anchoring theelongated body at the opening into the bore; the first and second hollowsections having a combined longitudinal size such that they are entirelyreceived within the bore after the forces are applied to the first andsecond sections to move the first and second sections relatively towardeach other; at least one of the first and second sections being slidablealong the elongated body without relative rotational movement of theelongated body and the at least one section.
 51. An anchor according toclaim 50, wherein the elongated body is a rod or tube.
 52. An anchoraccording to claim 50, wherein the elongated body is a rod or tube andthe rod or tube is affixed to the first section by a weldment or anadhesive.
 53. An anchor according to claim 50, further comprising asuture coupled to at least one of the sections.
 54. An anchor accordingto claim 50, further comprising a plurality of sutures coupled to atleast one of the sections.
 55. An anchor according to claim 54, whereinthe medium is a body tissue or matrix and further comprising an insertertube removably inserted into the center of at least the second sectionwith a snug fit, the sutures passing through the tube, and the tubebeing receivable within the pusher member with at least a slidingclearance.
 56. An anchor according to claim 50, wherein the rim portionsof each section are tapered to promote movement of the fingers thatengage them outwardly.
 57. An anchor according to claim 50, wherein eachfinger has a tip portion that is tapered to promote movement of eachfinger outwardly by the rim portion that it engages.
 58. An anchoraccording to claim 50, wherein the rim portions of each section aretapered to promote movement of the fingers that engage them outwardlyand each finger has a tip portion that is tapered to promote movement ofeach finger outwardly by the rim portion that it engages.
 59. An anchoraccording to claim 50, wherein the medium is a body tissue or matrix andthe sections and the elongated body are formed of biocompatiblematerials.
 60. An anchor according to claim 50, wherein the secondsection has a plurality of fingers adapted to extend proximally relativeto the bore, and further comprisinga third generally hollow sectionadapted to be received in the bore proximally of the second section,receiving a portion of the elongated body through it, and having aplurality of circumferentially spaced-apart fingers adapted to extenddistally relative to the bore; the second and third sections beingarranged opposite each other with the proximally extending fingers ofthe second section being interdigitated with the distally extendingfingers of the third section, and proximally extending fingers of thesecond being engageable with rim portions of the third section so as tobe displaced outwardly upon movement of the sections toward each other,the distally extending fingers of the third section being engageablewith rim portions of the second section so as to be displaced outwardlyupon movement of the sections toward each other; the hollow pushermember being engageable with a proximal end of the third section so asto apply a force distally on the third section; and a portion of theelongated body being adapted to be held to apply a force proximally tothe first section so as to enable the distally acting force applied tothe third section to move the first, second and third sectionsrelatively toward each other and move the fingers outwardly intoengagement with the medium surrounding the bore.
 61. A medical anchoradapted to secure an elongated body formed of a biocompatible materialin a bore formed in a living medium and defined by a bore side wall andan opening into the bore, the bore extending distally into a body tissueor matrix from a surface thereof, comprising:a first generally hollowsection formed of a biocompatible material receiving at least a portionof the elongated body within it, engaged with the elongated body againstdisplacement of the first section distally relative to the body, beingadapted to be received in the bore, and having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced-apart fingers adapted to extend proximallyrelative to the bore toward the opening; a second generally hollowsection formed of biocompatible material, adapted to be received in thebore proximally of the first section, receiving a portion of theelongated body through it, and having a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced-apart fingers adapted to extend distally relative to the bore;the first and second sections being arranged opposite each other withthe fingers of each section being interdigitated with the fingers of theother section and the fingers of each section being engageable with rimportions of the other section so as to be displaced outwardly uponmovement of the sections toward each other; and a hollow pusher memberseparate from the sections receivable in sliding clearance around theelongated body and engageable with a proximal end of the second sectionto apply a force distally on the second section; a portion of theelongated body being adapted to be engaged to apply a force proximallyto the first section so as to enable the distally acting force appliedto the second section to move the first and second sections relativelytoward each other and move the fingers outwardly into engagement withthe side wall of the medium surrounding the bore without having to holdeither of the sections against rotation relative to the bore and withoutanchoring the elongated body at the opening into the bore; the first andsecond hollow sections having a combined longitudinal size such thatthey are entirely received within the bore after the forces are appliedto the first and second sections to move the first and second sectionsrelatively toward each other; at least one of the first and secondsections being slidable along the elongated body without relativerotational movement of the elongated body and the at least one section.62. An anchor according to claim 61, wherein the elongated body is a rodor tube and the rod or tube is affixed to the first section by aweldment or an adhesive.
 63. An anchor according to claim 61, furthercomprising a plurality of suture coupled to at least one of thesections, and further comprising a substantially rigid hollow insertertube removably inserted into and in a snug fit with the center of atleast the second section, the sutures passing through the tube, and thetube being receivable within the pusher member with a sliding clearance.64. A method of securing an elongated body of a biocompatible materialin a bore formed in a living body and defined by a bore side wall and anopening into the bore, the bore extending distally into a body tissue ormatrix from a surface thereof, comprising the steps of:providing a firstgenerally hollow section formed of a biocompatible material, adapted tobe received in the bore with a close clearance and having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced-apart fingers adapted to extend proximallyrelative to the bore toward the opening; affixing at least a portion ofthe elongated body within the first section against axial displacementrelative to the first section, providing a second generally hollowsection formed of a biocompatible material, adapted to be received inthe bore with a close clearance, and having a plurality ofcircumferentially spaced-apart fingers adapted to extend generallydistally relative to the bore; positioning the second section oppositethe first section with the fingers of each section being interdigitatedwith the fingers of the other section, with the fingers of each sectionbeing engageable with rim portions of the other section so as to bedisplaced outwardly upon movement of the sections toward each other, andwith the elongated body received within the second section; engaging ahollow pusher member separate from the sections and in sliding clearancearound the elongated body with a proximal end of the second section andapplying a force to the hollow pusher member acting distally on thesecond section; engaging a portion of the elongated body such as toapply a force proximally to the first section so as to enable thedistally acting force applied to the second section to move the firstand second sections relatively toward each other and move the fingersoutwardly into engagement with the side wall of the bore withoutanchoring the elongated body at the opening into the bore; the first andsecond sections having a combined longitudinal size such that they areentirely received within the bore after the forces are applied to thefirst and second sections to move the first and second sectionsrelatively toward each other; and providing at least one of the firstand second sections so as to be slidable along the elongated bodywithout relative rotational movement of the elongated body and the atleast one section.
 65. A method according to claim 64, wherein theelongated body is a substantially rigid rod or tube and the rod or tubeis affixed to the first section by a weldment or an adhesive.
 66. Amethod according to claim 64, further comprising a plurality of suturecoupled to at least one of the sections, and further comprising thesteps of inserting a substantially rigid hollow inserter tube with asnug fit into the center of at least the second section and with asliding fit within the pusher member, passing the sutures through thetube, and inserting the sections into the bore by manipulating theinsert tube.
 67. A method according to claim 66, and further comprisingthe step of extending the inserter tube from the sections and thesutures by simultaneously applying a force proximally to the insertertube to withdraw the inserter tube and a force distally to the pushermember to hold the pusher member and sections in place within the bore.